Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Regenerative and Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
Prepares you to design and manage aquaculture systems that produce food while improving the marine environment. You will study integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), the farming of seaweed and shellfish, fish and…
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Regenerative and Multi-Trophic Aquaculture?
The Master's in Regenerative and Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
Prepares you to design and manage aquaculture systems that produce food while improving the marine environment. You will study integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), the farming of seaweed and shellfish, fish and invertebrate nutrition, water quality, biosecurity and animal welfare, and learn to assess the ecosystem services of a farm rigorously and without overstating them, together with the planning, certification and business tools needed to bring a project to life.
Key advantages
- Ecosystem approach: Aquaculture designed around the carrying capacity and health of the marine environment.
- Three key groups: Seaweed, bivalves and fish combined in integrated systems.
- Scientific rigour: Ecosystem benefits measured with sound metrics and their uncertainties.
- Business vision: Viability, markets and funding for regenerative farms.
- Your own project: The full design of a multi-trophic farm at a real site.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Design integrated systems: Combine species from different trophic levels in a single farm.
- Farm seaweed and shellfish: Master extractive aquaculture from seed to harvest.
- Protect the environment: Manage water quality and carrying capacity.
- Measure the benefits: Assess ecosystem services with reliable metrics.
- Boost your career: Work with producers, consultancies, public bodies and restoration projects.
- Train to produce food from the sea in a way that helps restore the ecosystems it depends on.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Foundations of Sustainable Aquaculture
- Global overview of aquaculture
- Species and production systems
- Environmental impacts of aquaculture
- The ecosystem approach to aquaculture
- From sustainability to regeneration
- Extractive and fed aquaculture
- Carrying capacity
- Aquaculture and food security
- The FAO framework
- Trends and innovation
02
Ecology and Water Quality
- Nutrient cycles in aquaculture systems
- Dissolved oxygen and metabolism
- Organic matter and sediments
- Phytoplankton and blooms
- Hydrodynamics and dispersion
- Water quality indicators
- Environmental monitoring
- Carrying capacity models
- Interaction with nearby habitats
- Climate change and aquaculture
03
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture
- Principles of IMTA
- Trophic levels and energy flows
- Choosing complementary species
- Spatial layout of the farm
- Species ratios
- Open-sea IMTA
- Land-based IMTA and recirculating systems
- Marine aquaponics
- Yield and efficiency
- IMTA case studies worldwide
04
Seaweed Farming
- Biology of farmed seaweeds
- Commercial species
- Seed production
- Longline farming systems
- Seeding, growth and harvesting
- Nutrient uptake
- Diseases and epiphytes
- Primary processing
- Seaweed markets
- Scaling up cultivation
05
Bivalve Farming
- Biology of mussels, oysters and clams
- Spat collection and hatcheries
- Suspended and bottom culture systems
- Filtration and water quality
- Growth and on-growing
- Biotoxins and depuration
- Mollusc health
- Reefs and associated habitat
- Harvesting and marketing
- Climate change challenges
06
Fish, Invertebrates and Feeding
- Fish species in integrated systems
- Sea cucumbers and sea urchins
- Polychaetes and detritivores
- Fish nutrition
- Sustainable feeds
- Feed efficiency
- Waste reduction
- Production management
- Genetics and selective breeding
- Juvenile production
07
Health, Biosecurity and Animal Welfare
- Main diseases in aquaculture
- On-farm biosecurity
- Vaccination and prevention
- Responsible use of veterinary medicines
- Parasites and integrated control
- Fish welfare indicators
- Humane slaughter
- Invertebrate welfare: the current debate
- Animal health regulations
- Health plans
08
Ecosystem Services and Restorative Aquaculture
- The concept of ecosystem services
- Nutrient removal
- Habitat creation
- Seaweed and carbon: evidence and uncertainties
- Aquaculture for restoration
- Metrics and monitoring
- Nutrient credits
- Economic valuation
- The risk of overestimation
- Communicating benefits responsibly
09
Planning, Regulation and Certification
- Marine spatial planning
- Allocated zones for aquaculture
- Licences and leases
- Environmental impact assessment
- Interaction with other uses of the sea
- Engaging local communities
- ASC certification
- Organic production
- Traceability
- Public aquaculture policy
10
Economics, Markets and Entrepreneurship
- Production costs
- Feasibility analysis
- Diversifying income streams
- Seaweed and bivalve value chains
- Markets and consumers
- Marketing sustainable products
- Funding and grants
- Risk management
- Cooperatives and collaborative models
- Aquaculture business plan
11
Master's Final Project: Designing a Multi-Trophic Farm
- Site selection
- Environmental characterisation
- Species selection
- System design
- Production plan
- Health and welfare plan
- Ecosystem services assessment
- Economic analysis
- Writing the dissertation
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Graduates in marine science, biology, veterinary science or aquaculture engineering: who want to specialise in sustainable production Aquaculture farm technicians and managers: who want to diversify towards integrated systems Environmental consultants: who assess and plan aquaculture projects Public administration staff: working on licensing and marine spatial planning Entrepreneurs: who w
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand sustainable aquaculture
- 02Design IMTA systems
- 03Farm extractive species
- 04Ensure health and welfare
- 05Assess ecosystem services
- 06Plan viable projects
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Multi-trophic farm manager: Running integrated production of seaweed, shellfish and fish.
02Aquaculture production specialist: Technical management of farms and hatcheries.
03Aquaculture environmental consultant: Impact studies, monitoring and carrying capacity.
04Restorative aquaculture project officer: Restoration initiatives with farmed species.
05Marine planning officer: Licensing and spatial planning in public administration.
06Aquaculture entrepreneur: Launching seaweed, shellfish or IMTA businesses.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It combines species from different levels of the food chain, such as fish, seaweed and bivalves, so that the waste of some becomes a resource for others.
Yes. It includes welfare indicators, humane slaughter and the current scientific debate on invertebrate welfare.
The evidence is still under development. The programme analyses it critically and shows how to avoid overstating benefits.
No. It does not replace regulated professional qualifications or the licences required by the competent authorities.
The full design of a multi-trophic farm at a real site, including environmental, health and economic analysis.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Regenerative and Multi-Trophic Aquaculture qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in marine science, biology, veterinary science, aquaculture, agricultural or environmental engineering or a related field; or proven professional experience in aquaculture or the marine sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when yo
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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